Disclaimer: Every single character in this story, except for the OCs I might make up, belongs to JK Rowling. I do not own Harry Potter. If I did, it would be a very, very bad thing. Because I'd take all the money I got from the first couple of books and go out, and I'd probably be dead within a week. And HP would have gone unfinished. So thank god I don't. Oh and I threw in a "The Thick of It" quote…so yea, that's not mine either.

AN: This story is set in a world where there is no prophecy concerning Harry and Voldemort. That, and one more teensie one are the only changes. But it's a biggie. It means Voldemort still lives, and Lily and James are alive and kicking, alongside little Harry. And of course, the Longbottoms are all ok. Along with a lot of other things that will or wont happen due to the absence of the prophecy, I will be making one other change of my own. Peter Pettigrew will not be a traitor, and he won't be a little rat like he's portrayed in the books and the movies. He'll be a relative equal to the rest of the Marauders.

Hope you like it and thank you for reading.

October 1st, 1978

The island rarely saw humans beyond its sole inhabitant. Curious seagulls flocked inland to see the second human being that had graced their island for 45 years. His figure stood outlined against a frail sun that battled with the grey clouds and rain that followed summer into autumn. He had arrived on Sandray a few hours ago, and his destination was southeast, to the largest beach on the island, south of the sand dunes. As he walked over the final hill, he spotted it. What looked like a shack of some sort had been built in a small nook on the east side of the beach.

Protection from the wind, he always hated a draft. The man sighed and rubbed his forehead. His ice blue eyes betrayed his nerves, but he set his jaw and began to walk. He took out a coin and began rolling it down his knuckles, trying to calm himself. As he reached the door he lifted his hand to knock, but it hovered in mid-air, uncertainty holding it in place. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and knocked.

If I fail, at least I tried. I can live with that. Or die peacefully.

The door was thrown open, and he stepped back.

Sirius Black loved seclusion. He loved being able to simply be alone, to have room to breathe and space to live. He had lived with his best friends for seven years, all of them sharing the same room, the same common room, the same dinner table and the same bleeding bathroom. He loved all the Marauders, they were his brothers, his one true family. But sometimes, he needed to get away from those gits. Away from civilization, away from society. Away from the stigma that accompanied his name.

The Barras Isles were perfect. Sandray was his haven, his little secret hideaway, and his fortress. The dreary weather matched his current disposition and he could be whomever he wanted, no one was there to see and judge. He could run around like a savage, naked except for a loincloth, brandishing a club and screaming at the top of his voice and only the seagulls would care.

That's why it came as quite a shock when someone knocked on his front door.

Sirius sat up with a start, shooting of the sofa, his wand in his hand before he could register his surroundings.

Who in the bloody hell…

He approached the door warily, slipping on his boots and protective robe before he turned the handle and yanked the door open.

"Protego Luminosus!"

Sirius flicked his wand up, and pointed it in the general direction of the stranger.

"I thought this was supposed to work the other way round," he said sarcastically, as he squinted behind the bright shield to get a good look at his uninvited guest. "With you attacking and me defending."

"Well, I thought you knew who I was and were going to attack me," replied an all to familiar voice. "Seemed like it, the way you barged out like a madman."

"Well, as you can see, its not like I get a lot of visitors," Sirius gestured at the seagulls that were their only audience. "Now would you kindly drop the shield that is currently burning out my corneas?"

The man dropped the shield, and looked at Sirius expectantly. Sirius blinked a few times, waiting as his eyes adjusted and suddenly looked startled. His eyes widened, then narrowed as his whole body tensed up.

"Should've known it was you. You're the only person I know who uses that fucking annoying bright shield spell. How'd you find me?" Sirius growled.

"Pettigrew." The man replied simply.

Sirius lunged forward violently, grabbing the man by his collar.

"If you hurt him in any way, I will tear you into pieces and feed you to the fucking seagulls!"

Sirius threw the smaller man down and pinned him to the ground by his wrists as he sat on top of him. Metallic grey eyes bored into the crystal blue ones as Sirius invaded the mans mind. His probes of pure anger were met by a solid steel wall that recoiled and responded, flinging him away.

"Mother taught me well," the man panted out as he stood up, "That and the old hag would've crucioed me if she knew what I was actually thinking."

"Fuck you Regulus, what did you do to Peter?" Sirius demanded as he picked himself up off the ground.

Regulus Black took a deep breath, casted a quick scourgify on his cloak and examined his nails.

"Nothing. He was the picture of health when I met him, and if anything, he actually looked better after I left."

"If I find out you're lying, I swear to god Regulus - "

"Yes, yes, seagull fodder, I heard you," Regulus waved him off, "Can I come in now? Its about to start pissing down, and this is quite an expensive cloak."

Sirius eyed Regulus up suspiciously, mentally trying to figure out what his weasel of a little brother was up to.

"Fine," Sirius spat, "Take your shoes of though, I don't want you tracking your filthy boots through my immaculately clean house"

The only response he got was a mumbled "Immaculate my arse"

Sirius glared at his little brother and spun around, stomping back into his house. Midway through the hallway he realized Regulus was still hovering by the door.

"Oi, come the fuck in or fuck the fuck off!" Sirius bellowed, "You're letting a draft in!"

Regulus heaved a sigh while he simply looked at his brother.

"Well brother dearest, if you would kindly remove the ward that will eviscerate me upon walking through your front door, that would be lovely, yes? I'd rather not die in this shithole you call a vacation home."

"What ward? The only ward on that door dangerous enough to kill is keyed to - " Sirius stopped, his eyes widened as he stared at his brother in shock.

"Yes, Sirius, I took his Mark. But please, I beg of you, do not turn your back on me. Just simply hear me out, please Sirius." Regulus pleaded, his eyes betraying the fear and terror that he felt.

Sirius looked at his brother, shocked at the sudden change. Regulus had always been arrogant; arrogance was a Black family trait, just like the hair, the eyes, the charm, and of course, the insanity. Even under the shadow of Sirius at Hogwarts, Regulus carried himself with the confidence and imperiousness that portrayed his indifference to all those around him. His face was a mask of disinterest directed to the world around him. However, from their childhood together, Sirius knew that Regulus' eyes always expressed his true emotions. His insecurities. His fears.

And this troubled Sirius deeply.

With a wave of his wand, Sirius brought down his Dark Mark detector ward, and the evisceration ward that activated alongside it. He looked at his brother, concern and worry etched into the lines of his face.

"Its safe now, Reg. You can come in."